Newmont Porcupine opens spectacular lookout point of mining pit and city to public
Mining giant, Newmont Porcupine in Timmins is finished phase one of a land use plan-a partnership agreement it has with the city. It's a spectacular lookout area where people can watch mining activity happening in the Hollinger open pit mine and see many familiar areas of the city's landscape.
The three-hundred and sixty degree unobstructed view of the mining operation and the city became open to the public as of Friday afternoon.
“We’re expecting people to come up here, have their lunch; watch the operation. There’s plenty of seating. We’ve had requests for wedding pictures. We’ve had requests for weddings up here," said Bryan Neeley, sustainability and external relations manager for Newmont Porcupine.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when visiting the landmark. There are only eleven parking spots at the top of the berm, including one accessible planking place, but there is another location at the bottom of the berm.
The viewing area is only open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and security guards will ask people to leave during blasting times. It will shut down for the winter season on October 1st.
“Security will be coming depending on the blast: either the 11:30 to 12:00 or 3:30 to 4:00 blast windows," said Neeley. "They will start about 45 minutes ahead of time and start removing people, get them to the bottom of the hill."
Once the all-clear is given, people can resume their site-seeing.
“To tell you the truth this is a phenomenon for Timmins," said Helga Kroll, chairperson of the Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee. "It’s something that Timmins has never seen before. It’s going to be a legacy for years to come for the kids that are growing up and their kids and their kids."
Melody Bruneau of Timmins was able to wave at her husband on Saturday who was on the job for Newmont Porcupine.
“I’m watching my husband down in the pit getting loaded right now. So it’s pretty cool. I’m really excited," she said.
Another woman, Dellanie Robitaille, who recently moved to Timmins from Sudbury said it's great to see a mine she's learned about at Cambrian College during her mining engineering technology program.
“We’ve been just looking at it in freeze frames for the last little while and now it’s all come to life and I can name and point out all the stuff I remember," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.